Al-Shajarah Journal of the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC)
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A QURANIC-BASED APTITUDE ASSESSMENT FOR NEW MUSLIM CONVERTS
Get PDFThe most important, and perhaps challenging, task that faces new Muslim converts is the acquisition of sufficient Islamic education. Only with such education will their Islamic character develop and would become real contributors to society. The very diverse scientific backgrounds and personal aptitudes of the new converts suggest different methodologies in the way curricula are composed, as well as different approaches for teaching them. In this study, we propose the development of a Quranic-based Aptitude assessment for new Muslim Converts (QAMC-I) as a technique to determine a suitable, semi-customized educational path for each. QAMC-I should indicate whether the concerned candidate has professional, scholarly characteristics that could enable him to specialize in a field of Islamic studies. It should also indicate which field of Islamic studies that a non-specialist would like more and a specialist would excel in. This paper introduces the guiding principles of the proposed QAMC-I. In this work, we introduce a more universal exposition of the underlying principles of cognitive measurement techniques that is more suitable to the universal and analytical nature of the Quran
THE LITERARY FACETS OF THE QUR’AN AS A GUIDELINE FOR ISLAMIC LITERARY WRITING
Get PDFThe Islamic theory of literature1 and its practices are studied in the context of Qur’anic examples. As the Qur’an is a comprehensive guideline to life, and considers the human soul, feelings, thoughts and actions, it gives basic rules and outline to Islamize the literature. Muslim scholars have discussed the Islamic literature based on the stories in the Qur’an and the way of its narration. The Qur’an does not define Islamic literature, however it provides rules and outline through the examples contesting both form and content to the extent of maintaining complete musical effect. Islamic literature has been developed by Muslim scholars, based on this Qur’anic concepts and the style in which it presents its message. Thus, Islamic literature not only carries ethics and values but also addresses the basic human needs and feelings for enjoyment and pleasure
QUR'ĀNIC INTERPRETATION POLITICIZED: ASMA BARLAS’ TEXT REREADING
Get PDFThis paper examines the role of Muslim feminist scholars in thereinterpretation of the Qur'ān within the discourse of Islamicfeminism with particular reference to Asma Barlas, a controversial'Qur'ān-only' feminist. In pursuance of their identity struggle, Muslimfeminists adopted new gender sensitive methodology of text rereadingto prove their worth. This is particularly true for Barlas whoconcisely argues that traditional exegetes manipulated Quranicinterpretation in their favour to oppress women and to establish their'male-centric' authority. In other words, classical methodology oftafsir is patriarchal, misogynistic and anti-woman. Hence,re-contextualization of the Qur'ān through adopting new genderorientated methodology of interpretation is not only desirable, butalso necessary. For Barlas, this will ensure active participation ofwomen in tafsir and create a link between Quranic hermeneutics andthe project of gender equality. This paper critically analyses Barlas’sviews within the Islamic paradigm and examines to what extent shedid break with patriarchal tradition in tafsir. Furthermore, itconcludes that Barlas' rereading of text is nothing, but a biasedattempt to politicise Quranic interpretation and to providetheological legitimacy to a secular orientated discourse, Islamicfeminism
AN ANALYSIS OF THE EXPANSION OF THE PROPHET’S MOSQUE BY CALIPH ‘UTHMAN B. ‘AFFAN (D. 36 AH/656 CE)
Get PDFThis paper discusses the expansion of the Prophet’s Mosque inMadinah by Caliph ‘Uthman b. ‘Affan. This paper finds that in termsof architectural morphology and structural configuration, theexpansion was a historic and ground-breaking event. It set a newarchitectural standard in the nascent Muslim society, which was usedas a benchmark for future trends and comparisons. This discussionrevolves around two main thrusts: the expansion between asentimental penchant and architectural pragmatism, and theexpansion as an important phase in the evolution of the identity ofMuslim architecture. These are dealt with after the main physicalaspects of the expansion were described. This paper provides severalessential lessons in their crude form on the significance and meaningof Muslim architecture, especially insofar as such perennial issues asform-function relationship, the role of spirituality, publicparticipation, sustainable development and tradition-versusmodernitydialectics, are concerned. ‘Uthman advocated such anarchitectural philosophy as was anchored in originality,progressivism and pragmatism, and in the process, remained faithfulboth to his personal spiritual impulses and the pressing requirementsof the dynamic evolution of Muslim architecture and civilization
THE PARAMETERS OF AL-IJTIHAD IN ZAKĀT: THE PAST AND THE PRESENT
Get PDFThroughout the centuries the Muslim ummah, and their scholars inparticular, have faced questions and challenges about zakāt.However, there is a vast difference between raising questions for thesake of seeking knowledge and making allegations based on mereassumption rather than on ijtihād. Zakāt is the third pillar of Islamand it should therefore be realized that all the rulings and normsrelated to zakāt are fixed by sharīʿah texts which cannot be changedbecause of the mutability of time and space. To some people certainaspects of zakāt seem irrelevant to our contemporary time andtherefore they suggest revising the whole concept of zakāt andapplying it according to our modern era. However, anyone whoventures to challenge the established norms of zakāt must at least bewell versed in the major sources of sharīʿah such as the Qur’ān,sunnah, ijmāʿ, qiyās as well as in Islamic jurisprudence and theArabic language. Otherwise what they pose are baseless claimsrather than intellectual questions. The authors of this paper focusmainly on three aspects: concept and scope of ijtihād, discussion andresponses to various allegations raised by Volker Nienhaus andtextual evidences for the proper understanding of zakāt. The paperhas adopted historical and descriptive methods of analysis
THE IMPACT OF SERVICE QUALITY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION AND CUSTOMER LOYALTY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY ON ISLAMIC BANKS IN BAHRAIN
Get PDFThe quality of service plays a vital role in any service-related economic sector, including in the banking services industry. While the service sector is a major contributor to economic activity, in-depth study on service quality and its impact on customer satisfaction have been largely overlooked. Moreover, all organizations seek quality, particularly those in the service sector, and this holds true in the banking sector. The role of service quality in the survival and success of Bahraini banks have failed to acknowledge its significant impact on the industry’s competitiveness. In service organizations, enhancing service quality is now considered as the most important step in gaining a competitive edge in the market. Bahraini Islamic banking services quality is the focus of this study. To measure Islamic banks services quality, as perceived by market followed by customer satisfaction and loyalty, eventual increased market share and increase in potential customers, enhanced productivity, increased profitability in Islamic banking business in Bahrain, are inevitable. Hence the objectives for this study would be to examine the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.The present research is expected to acknowledge achievement of customer satisfaction and customer loyalty through the measurement of service quality and to provide recommendations in developing an effective Islamic banking service quality. Therefore, any research effort undertaken to enhance the service quality of the Islamic Banks in Bahrain should be considered as an important attempt to significantly contribute and support the Islamic banking institution. This study will also provide practitioners innovative ideas for refining quality of services with the purpose of achieving a competitive advantage in the Islamic Retail Banking sector in Bahrain
A TRANSLATION AND COMMENTARY OF IBN ĀBIDĪN’S AL-‘ILM AL-ẒĀHIR FĪ NAF‘I AL-NASAB AL-ṬĀHIR (EVIDENT KNOWLEDGE ON THE BENEFIT OF PURE LINEAGE)
No full textThis article consists of the translation of Ibnu Abidin’s views on the position of the family of the Prophet Muhammad by virtue of their blood ties to him here and the Hereafter. The work also covers critically the opinions of both sides of the argument as to their standing. Ibnu Abidin himself was a “Sayyid” and in his work extols his position as one. Nevertheless, his article provides a number of hadiths that can help provide a balanced look at the claims of a special position of the family of the Prophet as defined by history, tradition and culture
A FORGOTTEN THEORETICAL CONNECTION OF AL-GHAZĀLĪ’S CLASSIFICATION OF RELIGIOUS SCIENCES: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Get PDFEach classification of science propounded by al-Ghazālī is generally based on a specific theoretical background. For religious science, which is relatively more focused in his discussion, he ascribed the entire discourse to a theory called “lubāb al-Qur’an” (essence of the Qur’an). This particular theory was born in another concept he calls ‘maqāsid al-Qur’an’ (objectives of the Qur’an) which is increasingly fashionable in contemporary Islamic scholarship. Despite this attention from scholars, the concerned discussion in previous literatures seems more interested in outlining the branches religious science that are enumerated by Al-Ghazālī rather than in digging deep into the above-mentioned background theory. In this milieu, the existing gap of study provokes exploring this very theoretical basis and its implications. Hence, to explore various dimensions of this gap and to shed light on it, this research aims at exploring critically the conceptual background of al-Ghazālī’s classification of religious sciences. It is hoped that this study may lay a new direction for this emerging debate
CITY METAPHOR IN THE CONTEXT OF WISDOM AND CIVILIZATION
Get PDFIn today's globalized societies, original, unaffected ideas have losttheir influence because, with technological developments, almost thewhole world can be seen as a single city. Yet in urban culture, theunderstanding of living together, leaves its place in a smallercommunity and even more to individualism. While wisdom andcivilization have integrated perception of the city, in the course oftime this perception has been transformed, shaping the mentality notfrom where it is viewed, however, but from how it is viewed. In thiscontext, the city concept through this perception requires furtherdiscussion. No civilization can be discussed from a place where a citydoes not exist. However, now the concept has been transformed intoan understanding that wisdom and civilization cannot be discussedfrom a place where there are no universities. With regards to this,universities become centres for Islamic civilization to grow andflourish like cities before. It discusses neither wisdom and civilizationnor law and jurisprudence in places where there are no socialcommunities. Therefore, in this paper, wisdom and civilization willbe considered in line with the transformation of the city metaphor
DETERMINANTS OF SHARIAH NON-COMPLIANT EVENTS IN ISLAMIC BANKS IN MALAYSIA: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TAWARRUQ-BASED FINANCING
Get PDFTawarruq is a new phenomenon in the Islamic financial landscape. It has gained wide acceptance from the market due to its inherent characteristics that can offer similar features as the conventional structure. Nevertheless, tawarruq is exposed to a high degree of shari’ah non-compliant risk mainly because it involves a series of sale contracts in succession. The present study investigates the determinants of shari’ah non-compliant events (SNEs) in tawarruq-based financing as practiced by Islamic banks in Malaysia. The study adopts the Analytic Network Process (ANP) gathering different views of experts from practitioners, regulators, sharī’ah scholars/advisors and researchers/academicians. The study found that lack of understanding and knowledge, inadequate control mechanism and reporting, ineffective functional structure, incompatibility of system to the execution of Islamic products, improper document execution and sequence, and inadequate internal policies and governing rules are the key determinants of SNEs in tawarruq-based financing in Islamic banks in Malaysia